Hello All,Thinking of buying a 2004 HR 40' Diesel. It has Canada plates and owned by folks in Arizona. It was originally registered in AZ. They are going to take it to Phoenix customs to enter it to the US. Now I would like an idea of how much it will cost to register in Calif. I tried the DMV calculator but it doesn't recognize the Canadian plates and the VIN. I'm going to be getting it for 58k. Thanks for the Help!

Is there an emissions issues on a 2004 diesel entering their system?

It might requiere an opacity test, it tests for the amount of zoot in the exhaust system. navegator

Should I assume that if you found the calculator you also found the entire DMV section on how to register an out-of-state vehicle?In that section, I found a brochure which has a section about vehicles which cannot be registered here. Does any of this apply? "Vehicles Purchased From Out of the Country (Grey Market)California has special requirements for vehicles imported from other countries (including Canada and Mexico). It may be very costly or impossible to modify these vehicles to meet California emission requirements and/or federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). No direct import vehicle less than two years old can be converted to California emission standards. Not all direct import vehicles over two years old can be converted to California emission standards and FMVSS. No motorcycle or diesel-powered vehicle can be converted to California emission standards. For details, contact the California Air Resources Board (ARB)."

I would call the Calif DMV b4 I purchased a Canadian rig - ask how much and what hurdles you have to leap to get it registered in Calif. Might be PIA.

In my day, importing vehicles from the US or from Canada, to the other, import could only be done at the border. The vehicle had to meet the other countries requirements in effect at the time of build. I assume that since the vehicle was registered in Az, that it was imported to Canada was originally purchased and sold in the US. It can come back to the US. If so,, then registering in a different state is no issue. If you have a US title, just search that it is clear of liens. Canada does not ( well, did not then ) have vehicle titles, a bill of sale and the registration are proof of ownership. Might be worth your while to involve a Customs broker. A $1 of prevention

California registration of out of state RV | Good Sam Community

PatrickA51
Explorer
Jan 18, 2018
dons2346 wrote:
If you belong to AAA, use them to do your paperwork. Much easier than trying to get answers from the DMV

It might be worth the AAA membership fee to get the paperwork done.
hries
Explorer
Jan 18, 2018
PatrickA51 wrote:
dons2346 wrote:
If you belong to AAA, use them to do your paperwork. Much easier than trying to get answers from the DMV

It might be worth the AAA membership fee to get the paperwork done.

That's a good call! I'm going to join AAA today.....Thanks!
Community Alumni
Jan 19, 2018
hries wrote:
Thanks All for the help. It was made in the USA and registered here before a private party took it to Canada. The owner is going to take it to Phoenix customs to check it back into the States. I think I'm okay with the federal safety and emission standards. Not sure what Cali. might want. I'll try to get a hold of the DMV.

Does not matter if it was made in the USA and registered here (AZ) before!
What matters is it California Compliant? That is some thing you need to check on otherwise the great state of California will not register it.

JimR
Dtank
Explorer
Jan 19, 2018
JimR 1 wrote:
hries wrote:
Thanks All for the help. It was made in the USA and registered here before a private party took it to Canada. The owner is going to take it to Phoenix customs to check it back into the States. I think I'm okay with the federal safety and emission standards. Not sure what Cali. might want. I'll try to get a hold of the DMV.

Does not matter if it was made in the USA and registered here (AZ) before!
What matters is it California Compliant? That is some thing you need to check on otherwise the great state of California will not register it.

JimR

Incorrect info!!..:(

When licensed in AZ (not Canada), NO problem bringing it into CA.

You will pay registration and Sales Tax on the sale price.
Depending on the county, sales tax is eight to 9 1/2 percent.
(A few counties are at 10%)

If you're not still working in CA, explore the "CA 90 day rule" (which is now one year) to *legally* avoid paying the sales tax.
(You will have to keep it -and prove you used it- outside of CA for one year to the Franchise Tax Board).

:C
JohnG3
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2018
JimR 1 wrote:
hries wrote:
Thanks All for the help. It was made in the USA and registered here before a private party took it to Canada. The owner is going to take it to Phoenix customs to check it back into the States. I think I'm okay with the federal safety and emission standards. Not sure what Cali. might want. I'll try to get a hold of the DMV.

Does not matter if it was made in the USA and registered here (AZ) before!
What matters is it California Compliant? That is some thing you need to check on otherwise the great state of California will not register it.

JimR

Register in a Montana LLC.
JohnG3
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2018
Should have said register as a Montana LLC and take possession outside the state of California.
dons2346
Explorer
Jan 20, 2018
JohnG3 wrote:
JimR 1 wrote:
hries wrote:
Thanks All for the help. It was made in the USA and registered here before a private party took it to Canada. The owner is going to take it to Phoenix customs to check it back into the States. I think I'm okay with the federal safety and emission standards. Not sure what Cali. might want. I'll try to get a hold of the DMV.

Does not matter if it was made in the USA and registered here (AZ) before!
What matters is it California Compliant? That is some thing you need to check on otherwise the great state of California will not register it.

JimR

Register in a Montana LLC.

If the OP is still working in CA this could cause a real problem. Another possible problem is that if he parks the coach at his residence. A jealous neighbor could (and knowing CA people)turn him into DMV.

I considered the LLC when I lived in Komifornia but the Montana attorney advised me against it for the above reasons. I elected to do the out of state delivery and kept it out of state the required amount of time. I did get questioned by BOE asking for proof of my out of state time. I had a stack of log book, receipts from fuel purchases, campgrounds, food, etc, which was supplied to BOE. All was in order and I owed zero use tax which saved me $25,000
Community Alumni
Jan 20, 2018
JohnG3 wrote:
Should have said register as a Montana LLC and take possession outside the state of California.

IMO that will turn around and bite him in the rear being a California resident the state has and will continue to crack down on that. The OP just wants to know the costs involved in registering the RV and that he will find at the DMV but not sure that he can just walk into any office to get that info.

JimR
hries
Explorer
Jan 23, 2018
Hey All, Since I'm retiring in just a couple years and plan to move to AZ, I decided to register the coach in AZ. They did have to import the coach at Customs at the airport. The they were told to get an emissions test.
1L243
Explorer II
Jan 23, 2018
Not trying to be a total buzz kill but why was this MH so special. I am sure you could have found one in California for sale? I'm all for paying as little tax as you can (one of the reasons I moved from CA)

You probably only committed two or three crimes by registering it in AZ while being a CA resident. Just don't get caught driving it in CA!